MR. TILDEN'S WAR RECORD
His patriotic address to a regiment in 1861. Published in New York Tribune, November 3, 1874:
"New York, Nov. 2, 1874.
"Sir,—On Saturday afternoon, June 22d, 1861, a stand of regimental colors—the gift of its Democratic friends, merchants and others—was presented to the 37th Regiment, N. Y. S. Volunteers. The colors were presented at the Battery, the regiment then being drawn up in line, and being at the time ready to depart for the scene of war, which it did on the following day.
"There was some ceremony at the presentation of the flags, and several speeches were made. One of the speakers on the occasion was Mr. Samuel J. Tilden, who made a stirring appeal to the officers and men of the regiment—a speech not excelled in patriotism by any public speaker during the War of the Rebellion.
"The writer of this letter knows whereof he affirms, for he was also present and took part in the presentation ceremony.
(Signed) "John T. Agnew."